Predetermined torque release quoin key wrench



May 2, 1951 H. SCHWERINER 2,982,159

PREDETERMINED TORQUE RELEASE QUOIN KEY WRENCH l0 Fig. 4

Filed June 29. 1959 INVENTOR.

HAROLD SOHWERINER ATTORNEY Harold Schweriner, Lansdale, Pa., assignor to The Simco Company, Lansdale, Pa., a Pennsylvania partnership Filed June 29, 1959, Ser. No. 823,578

1 Claim. (Cl. 8152.4)

The present invention is directed to a quoin key torque wrench, and more particularly toa quoin key torque wrench which may be utilized for quoins for locking pages or columns of type in a chase ready for printing. It is standard practice to wedge the pages or columns of the type in a chase for printing by the use of an adjustable wedge commonly referred to as a quoin. A wide variety of quoins have been developed. In particular, there are presently commercially available a number of quoins which selectively expand to a predetermined size upon engagement with a quoin key.

Practical experience has demonstrated that breakage v of the points of engagement between the quoin key and the mating portion of the quoin is common due to the exertion of an excess of pressure by the person applying the quoin key to the quoin. This is frequently aggravated by the fact that the quoin is positioned in a spot where access thereto is diflicult.

This invention has as an object the provision of a quoin key torque wrench which will enable but a regulated maximum amount of pressure to be applied to a quoin.

This invention has as another object the provision of a quoin key torque wrench which eliminates the possibility of injury or destruction to the quoin by the overapplication of pressure on the quoin key.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

Referring to the drawings, like reference characters refer to like parts:

Figure l is an elevational view, with parts being broken away, revealing the insertion of the quoin key torque wrench of the present invention within a quoin.

Figure 2 is an elevational view taken at right angles to Figure 1, and with the quoin key torque wrench rotated 90 degrees from the position which it occupied in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in Figure 4.

The quoin key torque wrench of the present invention is designated generally as 10. Such quoin key torque wrench comprises the quoin key 12 which includes plurality of evenly spaced flutes 13.

The quoin key 12 is detachably received within the socket 14, and may be operatively secured in position by means of the setscrew 15 which meets with a recess in the shank of the quoin key.

The body of the quoin key torque wrench 10 may be any one of a plurality of conventional, slip-clutch structures designed to transmit a predetermined maximum amount of torque.

For example, the body may comprise a ratchet-spring arrangement of well known design which permits but a r'egulatedmaximum amount of torqueto be exerted. This will in turn rotate the quoin key a predetermined amount. The maximum torque which may be exerted by the wrench may be preset by means well known to those skilled in the art.

As seen more clearly in Figures 4 and 5, the socket 14 extends through a cam 30. The upper end of the socket 14 is received within ball bearings 32. The cam 30 is hexagonal in transverse cross-section and is provided with six pronounced ridges. A pin 34 extends through the socket 14 and cam 30 for maintaining the same in assembled relationship. For purposes of clarity of illustration, the 'pin 34 is not shown in Figure 5.

The handle 16 is hollow and receives a housing 36 spring biased toward the cam 30. The housing 36 is provided with spaced arms between which a wheel 38 is rotatably mounted on a pin. The housing 36 is provided with a slot 40 through which extends a pin 42 to prevent relative rotation between the handle 16 and the housing 36.

Figures 4 and 5 show the wheel 38 in contact with a ridge on the cam 30. This is a slipping position of the wrench 10. In a non-slipping position, the wheel 38 rests between the ridges on the cam 30. Since thehousing 36 is spring biased toward the cam 30, the wheel 38 willretract to a position as shown in Figure 4 when a predetermined torque has been transmitted to the quoin 18.

The quoin key torque wrench may be used to apply pressure by the use of the handle 16 which acts as a lever.

A standard quoin is shown designated as 18. No claim of invention is made to the quoin 18, per se, as the same is a conventional quoin which has been marketed on a commercial scale for many years. Such quoin 18 includes a fluted aperture 20 which matingly receives the quoin key 12. Rotation of the quoin key 12 within the fluted aperture 20 will cause the quoin to either expand or contract depending upon the direction of rotation.

The extent of expansion or contraction of the quoin 18 may be visually observed by observance of the pin 24 which moves in the slot 22 upon the expansion or contraction of the quoin 18. The slot 22 may be provided with indicia for ascertaining its relative degree of expansion or contraction.

The use of the quoin key torque wrench 10 permits a regulated maximum amount of pressure to be exerted on the quoin 18. Thus, the quoin 18 may be expanded selectively to any predetermined degree of tightness without the stripping of the flutes in the fluted aperture 20 thereof by excessive pressure from the quoin key 12.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claim, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

Iclaim:

Apparatus comprising a quoin and a quoin key torque wrench, said wrench having a socket, a quoin key longer than said socket detachably secured in said socket, said quoin key being fluted only on that portion which extends beyond the socket, said fluted portion on said quoin key cooperating with a fluted aperture on said quoin, said aperture having a contour identical with the cross-sectional contour of said fluted portion of said key, said wrench being of the slip-clutch type so that only Patented May 2, 1961 3 4 a regulated maximum amount of torque may be trans- 1,466,148 Sands Aug. 28,1923 mitted from said wrench through said key to said quoin. 2,269,503 Zimmerman Jan. 13, 1942 2,409,545 Cornwell Oct. 15, 1946 References Cited in the file of this patent 2,598,119 Gofi May 27, 1952 5 2,880,008 Stoner Mar. 31, 1959 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,165,159 Dunner Dec. 21, 1915 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,173,316 Sega! Feb. 29, 1916 232,537 Great Britain Apr. 23, 1925 

